FED-UP neighbours have told of an upsurge in yobbish behaviour since former offenders were housed near their homes.

The ex-criminals are living at newly-built flats in North Road, Westcliff, but residents said they were never warned they were coming.

Essex Probation Service confirmed the occupants were taken care of by Nacro, a charity which resettles offenders on their release and provides other services to hopefully keep them on the straight and narrow.

The development is at the end of an alleyway off North Road and is protected by secure gates with an intercom.

Seven of the nine flats, completed last summer, are reportedly occupied.

Neighbours have complained about increased loitering, noise and drunken disturbances around their homes and blamed it on on residents living at the flats.

David Jackson, 49, from North Road, said: “We are not happy about the guys living there. I was told by a policeman there are ex-prisoners in there who are tagged.

“He also said there are guys in there with Asbos on a curfew.

“We had a look around when they were built and they’re nice flats.”

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “All we have had is grief ever since the day they opened that place.

“I’ve been out of my house five or six times in the early hours because of people at the end of my drive shouting and screaming at each other.

“They were from that place.

“There have also been people coming back late drunk and smashing bottles.

“How can they expect us to live here?”

The Nelson’s Gate project was opened in June by Nacro and the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, and is funded by the council and the Drugs and Alcohol Action Team. Nacro and Essex Police said in a joint statement: “Having suitable housing is vital to ensure offenders go straight.

“Nacro has over 40 years’ experience of running accommodation safely and securely with other partners in the criminal justice system.

“As with all Nacro’s projects, there are rigorous systems in place to ensure it houses only suitable people.

“Once they are there, their behaviour is monitored to ensure they stick to the rules designed to make them good neighbours and allow them to get the benefits the project has to offer so they move on to crime free lives.

“They have a lot to lose if they break the rules and are moved out of the project.

“Nacro takes any neighbour complaints very seriously and there have been none to-date.

“Nacro would gladly meet with any neighbours to discuss the project.”

Jad Gridley, director of Stygrid Developments, which built the flats, added: “There is a housing association we provided accommodation for there.

“What they do there is down to them.”